Shooting Starlight Ch.14 Tales of the Past

As promised that evening Kíli arrived at the mansion, his motorbike rumbling. Tauriel walked over to him with a spring in her step. She had decided to dress up a bit, since she would be meeting his family again, but unlike the party this would be far more intimate and she wanted to continue giving of a good impression. So she’d opted for a pair of dark brown pants, a maroon red tank top over which she wore a sheer cream shirt. Her hair she left loose and it swayed around her knees. The sight of her took Kíli’s breath away, as usual. She greeted him with a smile and a kiss, that he couldn’t resist deepening. It was only when the wind picked up and she shivered did they come up from breath.

“Hello gorgeous.”
“Hello handsome.”
“You’re looking lovely as always.” He said with a grin before turning more serious. “I am glad to see that smile.”
“Thank you, for everything Kíli, I wouldn’t know what to do without you. I feel so useless right now, even to you. The only thing I do is be sad.” And he laughed at that.
“Now that’s not true, there was a time nothing could get you down, it’s not your fault your friends enjoy going to Mordor.” He hoped she would appreciate the humour and thankfully she did as she laughed at him. Then she bent down, giving him another quick kiss.
“Shouldn’t we go, I don’t think your mother would approve of us coming late to dinner?” She asked as she playfully danced away from him hands. He gave a huff as she put on the helmet but smiled when they got on the bike and he felt her arms sneak around his waist.


When they arrived at Dís’ house they were greeted by the smell of food. Kíli sniffed the air deeply before smiling at her.
“Mum’s making a feast.” He told her excitedly and she smiled back at him. Hand in hand they entered the house.
“Ma, we’re here!” he shouted and within seconds Dís appeared in the hallway.
“Oh there you are darling.” She said as she maneuvered her way through the space before capturing Tauriel in a crush hug. Tauriel looked up in surprise. She still had to get used to the abundance of physical contact that the Durin’s displayed, something that was so different at home when it was generally only used to comfort someone instead of random displays of happiness.
“Ma don’t crush her please, I’d like to keep her alive.” Kíli commented dryly, which earned him a chuckle from his mother and the look from Tauriel.
“You’d like to keep me alive?” She asked, an eyebrow raised and Kíli laughed winking at her.
“But of course love.” This earned him an eye roll from Tauriel but he was unimpressed by it an dragged her to the living room.

The first thing Tauriel noticed was how very cosy it was, despite being a large room. The walls were coloured a warm grey with tapestries and photos hanging everywhere. She glimpsed a few of young Kíli and Fíli happily playing in a field and splashing each other in a blow up swimming pool. The floor was made of a dark wood with a thick carpet by the hearth, which was surrounded by several heavy leather couches and armchairs. It was completely opposite to the elegant and high-class interior at Mirkwood or Rivendell but Tauriel immediately loved it as it made her feel at home. She could definitely imagine herself snuggling up in a large blanket and sitting by the fire together with Kíli. As she thought of him she squeezed his hand and he looked at her with a huge smile, which she returned.

As they entered the other people present turned towards them. Tauriel saw Arild who smiled at her. Fíli also gave her a grin. His cousin Gimli sat with the couple on one of the couches. He was a smaller man like Fíli and Kíli but he had even broader shoulders and chest that were heavily muscled. His copper hair was tied back and he sported a heavy, yet neatly trimmed, beard. His dark eyes twinkled at her curiously. He stood up and gave her a firm handshake.
“Gimli, son of Glóin. Must ‘ve missed you at Thorin’s party. Nice to finally meet ye! Kíli won’t shut up about ye.” And Tauriel laughed.
“It’s nice to meet you too Gimli, son of Glóin. I am sorry for not introducing myself to you at the party, there were so many people. Besides I was under constant watch.” She said and her eyes flickered to Kíli who gave a groan but smiled at the same time.
“And for good reason.” He muttered and Gimli and Tauriel laughed at him. Then Gimli sized her up.
“He probably spent all night forcing you to the buffet.” He remarked bluntly as he looked at her small frame obviously not approving it very much. But Tauriel graced him with smile.
“And they probably spent the whole night trying to drag you away.” She retorted raising an eyebrow. She looked at him and saw his eyes twinkling and even his full beard couldn’t hide the smile on his face.
“You’re alright lass.” He said and Tauriel interpreted it as a high compliment coming from him.
“Thanks.”

With that Bilbo had jumped from his armchair and made his way to Tauriel. She smiled at the small man who seemed to be a funny blend of seriousness and eccentricity with his bold coloured vest and wild curling hair. With a smile he took her hand, pressing a soft kiss to it.
“It’s a pleasure to see you again Tauriel. I am delighted to see both these troublemakers surrounded by such lovely girls.”
“Thank you Mr Baggins, it is lovely to see you again too. Lord Elrond wanted to thank you for the amusing conversations you had during the party, his wife and parents-in-law very much enjoyed it.”
“Oh Bilbo please, I don’t want to sound so old! And it has been a pleasure too. Some had to take it among themselves to engage in civilized conversation.” He said, his eyes sliding to Thorin, who replied with a grunt. With a smile the small man turned his shining eyes back to her. “My nephew Frodo was completely in awe with you. He keeps asking me about the flame haired fairy.” And Bilbo winked as Tauriel starting laughing.
“That’s so sweet of him! Well I don’t know how long you will be here, but you and Frodo are welcome to come to the archery competition, if you’d like. There will be plenty of fairies for him there.” She said and looked at Kíli. “You wouldn’t mind that love?” and Kíli laughed, his arm encircling her waist.
“No of course not, it would be fun! The more the merrier!”
“Oh yes,” Bilbo said, “Kíli has told me about it yesterday. Well that sounds lovely, I am sure Frodo would love to see that.”

Then finally her attention turned to Thorin, who sat in his armchair that stood closest to the fire, watching the exchanges from a distance. Plucking up her courage, Tauriel walked over to him giving him a smile.
He silently accepted to hand she held out.
“It is good to see you again Tauriel Greenwood.” His low voice rumbled.
“Likewise Mr. Durin. I um wanted to thank you for accepting me with Kíli.” She told him and he raised his heavy brow, piercing eyes looking at her.
“You thank me for that?” He asked and she swallowed heavily, hoping she hadn’t made a mistake. But her fears were quickly dimmed when the man graced her with an actual smile. “Lass I fear, even if I didn’t accept it, my nephew and well this entire room would turn against me. I am a very proud and stubborn man, as some here love to remind me, but I know better than trying to go against Kíli or his mother for that matter.” Several chuckles filled the room, Thorin’s laugh among them before his eyes turned serious again. “But do know that any action against him, is also one against us. You won’t survive our wrath.” He stated simply. But instead of being intimidated by it, Tauriel merely smiled.
“Understood sir.” She said, humour lining her voice. A cough came from behind them and they turned to see Kíli stride towards Tauriel, his cheeks red with blush and he began to drag her away.
“Seriously, you guys are way to embarrassing. I am the one supposed to be threatened.” And Tauriel laughed.
“Oh you will love, soon enough.”  

Not long after, Dís called that dinner was ready and the company eagerly sat themselves on the long wooden table that was laden with food.
Sitting next to each other, Tauriel bend over to Kíli as she tried some of Dís’ amazing dishes.
“So is this where you get your cooking skills from?” She asked and he nodded, his mouth full. He quickly swallowed.
“Yes, mum was adamant Fíli and I would learn if we were to leave home.”
“The best decision she ever made I’d say.” Arild said happily as she gave Dís a large smile, earning her a playful jab from Fíli. Dís laughed, her eyes sparkling.
“Believe me, if you are ever graced with boys, you’ll soon learn that food is the one thing to keep them content. It’s only fair they are able to return the favour.” She said, before turning her attention to Gimli, who was currently avoiding her glance, trying to disappear in his chair. “How are your cooking classes going?” Dís asked him, and he shifted uncomfortably.
“Well, let’s just say Mordor doesn’t allow me to practice my master chef skills.” He muttered softly, and the rest laughed.
“Well if we are talking about food, Tauriel have you ever tried local Hobbiton dishes?” Bilbo asked as he helped himself to some more potatoes. Tauriel softly shook her head.
“No I haven’t been fortunate enough.”
“Well then do remind me to make some for you at one point. Does Mirkwood have their own particular dish?”
“Hmm our diet is more varied than that of Rivendell and Lothlórien. A speciality is deer and rabbit pie, but it’s mainly vegetables and fruits.” Tauriel told him and looking at the rest at the table, they seemed to appreciate that she ate meat. She wondered if it would have been more of an insult if she had been a vegetarian rather than the adopted daughter of Thranduil Greenwood. “I think our main export is wine, Thranduil considers himself to be an expert.” She said.

Thorin had remained silent for most of the dinner thus far, observing the others. But at the mention of his business enemy did he join the conversation. Tauriel wondered if it had been a mistake to do so.
“So Tauriel, tell me, how is it that Thranduil adopted you?” Thorin’s low voice rumbled, his ice blue eyes giving her a calculated look. She looked away from his gaze, focusing on cutting the meat in front of her. Once finished she pinned a piece with her fork, bringing it to her mouth.
“My parents died in a car crash.” She told him before taking a bite. The hardness in his eyes softened.
“I am sorry to hear that.” His voice filled with genuine emotion. “Do you miss them?”
“Of course, but I hardly remember them, I was very young when they died.”
“How old?”
“Four. I do know what they look like, I carry a picture of them around with me, but other than that static image I don’t recall them.”
“What were their names? Are you named after them?”
“No, my father’s name was Feredir and my mother’s Meriliel.” She looked over at Thorin who had grown remarkably still. “What?” She asked him, her eyebrow raised. He snapped his head back to her.
“Feredir and Meriliel Forrest?” He asked back and she looked surprised as seemed the rest of the family.
“You knew them?” came the question from Kíli and his uncle nodded.
“Aye I did, not very personally though. Your father worked closely with Thranduil when our businesses still worked together… Incredible.” He muttered towards the end seeming to slip into his own thoughts.
“What is incredible?” Tauriel asked, finding his entire behaviour incredibly odd.
“Sorry did I say incredible, I meant rather a shame, for such young and strong people to die in that way. Must have been a terrible time for you.” Thorin said and Dís rolled her eyes, becoming more annoyed by the second.
“Actually I don’t remember anything of that time, there’s just darkness, like a gap in my memory. Thranduil send me to a therapist quite soon after because I wouldn’t speak. She said it was due to trauma. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll remember?” Tauriel said and then smiled softly and with that Dís stood up.
“Well its always nice to have my brother over for dinner, he always brings up such lovely conversation.” She said sarcastically and hit Thorin over his head with her napkin. “I think it’s time for dessert.” She said and within seconds she had retrieved a large chocolate cake that she balanced on a silver plate. She cut off a healthy portion while waving away her eager sons, and handed in to Tauriel. “There you go love, do eat up.” She said with a warming smile that Tauriel happily returned.

The rest of the dinner passed with pleasant conversation. Gimli told about his time in Mordor, making sure to give Tauriel an accurate description of how it was there.
“Oh of course since your brother isn’t a soldier, his experience would be a bit different. The journalists have different quarters and tasks and stuff. But just being there and seeing everything is something everyone there shares. We all look out for each other.” And Tauriel smiled at him and Kíli hoped this would put her mind at ease.
“Thank you Gimli.” She said softly and to his surprise Kíli saw a slight blush appearing on his cousin’s ruddy cheeks.
“Tis no problem. If I see ye brother, I’ll tell him you said hi.” And Tauriel laughed.
“Make sure to also give him a few good punches.” At this Gimli and the rest of the Durins laughed.
“It will be my pleasure lass.”



It was late once everyone had gone upstairs after enjoying some good stories, music, and a fair bit of brandy. Thorin and Dís were left by the smouldering fire place, the fire dying out as its embers glowed.

The siblings sat in opposite chairs, Thorin softly twirling around the alcohol in his glass. Dís eyed him carefully, knowing she had his attention.
“Did you have to bring up such conversation? You barely know the girl. You of all people know how hard it is to talk about loved ones we’ve lost. It’s not something we should openly discuss like that. You made her uncomfortable and embarrassed the rest of us. Poor Kíli will have a hard time convincing her to come back again, especially now. We shouldn’t talk of death when her brother is in Mordor, it will only make her worry more.” Thorin didn’t say anything but she knew he’d heard her, his eye catching hers. He continued to twirl his glass and take a sip. Right before she thought he wouldn’t answer her at all he finally spoke.
“I think you underestimate her.”
“Excuse me?”
“She wasn’t uncomfortable with the topic, I would not have continued asking is she was.”
“Well that’s a comfort.”
“There’s something not right Dís.” Thorin said ignoring her sarcastic come back and his eyes bored into hers.
“What do you mean?”
“Feredir and Meriliel were strong people, part of Thranduil Guards.” Thranduil’s Guards just like Thorin’s Ravens were people loyal to them who not only helped them with business but also missions, some dangerous, some not. Especially with reoccurring battle scenes it was becoming important for them to be able to defend their territory. There were fears that the war in Mordor would spread and thus businesses like Oakenshield Company, Mirkwood Estate, and Rivendell would invest in army-trained personnel, ready to defend while the actual armies were busy elsewhere.
“As impressive as that is, so what?” Dís asked, an eyebrow raised and her brother turned to her with a huff, obviously annoyed she didn’t follow his absurd train of thought.
“It’s strange for them to die so young. I remember when I heard the news, it was all very hushed up.”
“Believe it or not Thorin but things like car accidents can be fatal.” His sister answered her voice on edge and he sighed apologetically.
“I’m sorry Dís, I didn’t mean to imply that Kaelin…”
“Yes well, be careful with what you say. I know you like no other, but most people won’t understand and take major offense.” And he cracked a grin.
“That appears to be something I am good at, offending people.” And Dís laughed.
“Yes, you’re hidden talent.” She said before her eyes turned serious again. “But what is it you’re implying then, if you find their death so strange?”
“Well it’s just a theory mind you, more of a feeling…” Thorin stated slowly, fixing his eyes on the dying fire. Silent minutes passed as he seemed to formulate his thoughts. Then he turned to his sister who looked at him with the same intense blue eyes that he had.
“I think they and Frerin suffered a similar fate…”




Meanwhile in Mordor the only thing Aragorn Strider could think about was his bed. It had been an incredibly busy and draining day. Fighting was going on in a town nearby and patients swarmed the hospital like bees around honey. Some had minor injuries while others were slowly dying in front of his eyes.

He gathered the papers on his desk; many of them were death certificates he had to sign. He didn’t want to think about those right now. He wanted to sleep. He’d seen and cleared away enough scrapple from wounds for one day.

Just as he was about to turn off the light and head home, there was a loud knock on his door. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Yes?” he answered, trying not to sound too annoyed. His day hadn’t been all that bad, he was especially glad to see Legolas again.

The door opened and one of his assistants appeared, she looked slightly distressed.
“What’s wrong Fama?”
“There’s a woman to see you sir. She just arrived, we couldn’t send her away, it seems she came from far.”
“What’s wrong with her, is she hurt?”
“Well not particularly sir, apart from being exhausted.” And Aragorn raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“Then why do you need me?”
“Well that’s the thing, she specifically asked to talk to you.”
“Did she say anything else?”
“Not much apart from your name, I don’t think she can speak our language very well.” Aragorn grew even more curious.
“Alright.” He said and followed Fama to the hospital lobby while she kept talking.
“From her appearance and accent we think she might be from Harad.” Aragorn only nodded and then he saw her.

The woman was dressed in rags, holding a tightly wrapped bundle in her arms, probably containing her few belongings. She had a tanned skin, a mass of thick black curls that desperately needed a wash, and her emerald green eyes that contrasted with her skin were exhausted. But once she saw him she leaped up, determination filling her eyes. Aragorn couldn’t remember ever seeing her before. He approached her and held out a hand that she slowly took hold of.

“I am Aragorn Strider, can I help you miss?” He asked gracing her with an encouraging smile. The woman smiled back as if relieved. She slightly bowed her head.
“My name is Nashwa.” She said, her voice heavy with the Harad accent. Then she looked up, facing him, her eyes sparkling.

“I am Boromir’s wife.”